BOW WAVE 381

Bow Wave Issue 381--Dubai Edition

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Wavy Line	sam@wavyline.com
(c)2007 WavyLine.com	Issue No 381 12 Mar 07
Published free of charge to Readers
Editor: Sam Ignarski
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In this issue:

1. Welcome
2. The Month of February 2007 in Marine
3. Capsized Grimaldi
4. Jones Act
5. Dubai Marine Charity Ball 09MAR07
6. And Finally...

1. Welcome

Poem of the Week

O Ship of State

Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State!
Sail on, O Union, strong and great!
Humanity with all its fears,
With all the hopes of future years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate!
We know what Master laid thy keel,
What Workmen wrought thy ribs of steel,
Who made each mast, and sail, and rope,
What anvils rang, what hammers beat,
In what a forge and what a heat
Were shaped the anchors of thy hope!
Fear not each sudden sound and shock,
'Tis of the wave and not the rock;
'Tis but the flapping of the sail,
And not a rent made by the gale!
In spite of rock and tempest's roar,
In spite of false lights on the shore,
Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea!
Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee.
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears,
Are all with thee,--are all with thee!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

New Readers this week include:-

Fleet Director Graham Johnston of Vorsetzen Shipping in Hamburg Panama Ambassador to London Liliana Fernandez
Soon to be Chief Surveyor at Lloyd's register Nigel Worsley RM Menon, Managing Director of James Mackintosh in Dubai Captain Saleem Alavi of Dubai Maritime City

Note from the Editor

This edition of Bow Wave comes to you from Dubai where your editor has been spending a fascinating few days

Enjoy!

2. The Month of February 2007 in Marine

Jason Copland writes:-

Like the month of February itself a slightly shorter, and an almost "MSC Napoli" free edition this month:

Jan 30 (well almost February) Sterntrawler "Willem van der Zwan" destroyed by fire as it almost completed its refit at Velsen. The attending fire brigade seemed powerless to stop the fire.

Feb 2 Vinashin in Vietnam officially opens its Offshore unit "Vinaoffshore" in Hanoi - to concentrate on FSO, SBM and oil drilling vessels.

Feb 5 Qatar Gas spreads its favours with both Daewoo and Samsung winning build orders for LNG vessels worth US$ 1.22 and US$ 1.14 billion respectively.

Feb 5 "Nordkapp on the Rocks" - passengers shaken but not stirred, the "MS Nordkapp" stricks rocks in Antartica leaving an 80 foot hole in the bows.A Royal Navy ice patrol ship "HMS Endurance" helped supervise passenger transfer onto sistership.

Feb 7 Rumours concerning the placing of an order for the "Magellan" expect a European yard to be named soon. The planned 262M, 70,000 GRT "Magellan" will be aimed at luxury home owners at sea market with apartments priced from US$ 1.8 mill to US$ 9 mill. - Get your reservations in soon!

Feb 7 I did say it would be named soon - the same day, Aker announces the contract for the "Magellan".
Feb 7 Some holiday plans - head south on board a US$ 250 million yacht "Octopus" and wait at Ushuaia for a friend flying down in his private 757 (must remember to send helicopter to collect) before sailing to the Antarctic. No, it's not my plan - it's Bill Gates and Paul Allen and others. It beats a weekend in Brighton.

Feb 7 Partner Re back in profit for 2006 reporting almost US$750 million profit compared with US$ 51.1 million loss for 2005.

Feb 8 Cyprus launches bidding round for offshore gas exploration blocks.

Feb 9 More "Majesty" at sea as the 74,000 GT "Majesty of the Seas" returns to cruising following a one month refit. When launched in 1992 the Majesty was the world's largest cruise ship - now there are 68 larger cruise ships in service with the "Freedom of the Seas" being more than twice the size.

Feb 9 Smit International posts almost doubling of 2005 profits with EUR 75 million (up from EUR 38.3 mill for 2005)

Feb 10 More trouble for BP as problems arise with mooring bits - one broke off the deck during tug operations. Other problems included cracked rudders and anchors that fell off the vessels. Full story here:
http://www.marinelink.com/Story/ShowStory.aspx?StoryID=205921

Feb 11 More than 700 items were salved from the "MSC Napoli" including 11 BMW motorbikes "saved" by concerned members of the public - maybe they're concerned by the prospect of the up to GBP 2,500 fine for failure to declare salved items...

Feb 12 A handy pocket check list for Marpol compliance is published by Lloyd's Register and the UK P&I Club (Item 1, put the lid back on after use). Seriously though, this list should help ensure compliance and reduce oil pollution incidents.

Feb 13 Accusations start to fly in the "Erika" trial as it's claimed that Total knew of the condition of the vessel. Total and 14 other defendants are accused of negligence leading to pollution and endangering lives.

Feb 13 Rumours that Disney will expand its cruise ship fleet beyond the current two vessels "Disney Wonder" and "Disney Magic"

Feb 14 Turkey announces plans to start oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean - shortly after Cyprus announced bidding round (see above)

Feb 15 Fire breaks out on the "Nisshin Maru" Japanese whaler in the Antarctic and on Fri 16 New Zealand urges Japan to allow Greenpeace vessel "Esperanza" to assist.

Feb 19 Converium rejects an unsolicited take-over bid from SCOR after SCOR acquires 32.9% stake.

Feb 20 The first Chinese built LNG vessel will be delivered in September,currently being built by Hudong. Another 4 vessels due to be delivered by the end of the year.

Feb 20 Royal visit in Sydney as Cunard's QM2 and QE II arrive in town. Pictures here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6377861.stm

Feb 23 A turtle turns turlte...Titan Salvage successfully refloats and then sinks (!) the wrecked platform A Turtle stranded on Tristan De Cunha - full story here: http://www.marinelink.com/Story/ShowStory.aspx?StoryID=206101

Feb 23 Those rumours are confirmed with Meyer Werft winning the contract to build two new cruise ships for Disney.

Feb 23 Another Indonesian Ferry disaster with fire on board the 2,000 GT 27 year old "Levina 1" killing at least 16.

Feb 25 Indonesian ferry claims another life as the burnt out wreck of the "Levina 1" suddenly sinks whilst an inspection crew was on board. Death toll from the fire now known to be over 40.

Feb 26 The 160,000 GT, 372 metre "Independence of the Seas" will be based in the UK at Southampton once operations commence in May.

Feb 27 All containers from the deck of the "MSC Napoli" are now cleared. Salvage operations continue.

Disclaimer Any opinion expressed in this newsletter should be regarded as the personal opinion of Jason Copland and not one made in his capacity as an employee of Swiss Re and any such opinion is not the opinion of Swiss Re, of any of its affiliated companies or of any of its officers or employees. Accordingly, Swiss Re hereby expressly disclaims any liability, loss, cost or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the content or expression of views of this newsletter or of other Websites to which this Newsletter may provide a link.

3. Capsized Grimaldi

Ship spotter Frederik Blanckaert has posted these photographs of the "Repubblica di Grimaldi", which capsized at her berth at the Verrebroekdok in Antwerp on 08MAR07.

http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=369876 http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=369873 http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=369872 http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=369870

4. Jones Act

Ever been puzzled by the Jones Act? The ITS Weblog has a piece from Peter Drakos examining this thorny issue

Go to:-

http://wwww.its-insurance.com

5. Dubai Marine Charity Ball 09MAR07

To Dubai's Hyatt Regency Hotel your editor went this week courtesy of the Nautical Instiitute's Dubai branch and its committee to make a short after dinner speech to the 701 guests assembled by them in the largest sit down dinner to be seen west of the Great Hall of the People, Beijing. The theme of the dinner was The Creek and the hall was decked out in all manner of creekery, not to mention the banners of the sponsors and the donated gifts for auction. This annual function is sold out annually and the work of the Chairman Duncan McKelvie and his committee is translated into many hundreds of thousands of Dhirims to the charities concerned. The party went on to 3:00 a.m and--a nice touch-- before carriages a fish and chip snack was available to partygoers who went the distance.

The theme of the speech was somewhat limited--the 10 minute rule applied. Time enough to make some of your editor's favourite points:-

The current shiping boom is the longest lasting since the one in the 1770s

The consolidation of the container industry is presenting the underwriters with big challenges.

Don't forget about the times when all the shipping industry struggled to wash its face

Dubai is clearly a happening place for shipping--the pace of change invites comparisons with other more eastern places in shipping's boom years. How nice to be in a city where everywhere you look you seem to be in sight of someone working cargo.

6. And Finally...

We are obliged to Anthony Cerchiai of the Generali for these allegedly true conversations between pilots and control towers:

Tower:< EM>"Delta 351, you have traffic at 10 o 'clock, 6 miles!"

Delta 351: "Give us another hint! We have digital watches!"

**********************************************************

Tower:< EM>"TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 Degrees."

TWA 2341: "Center, we are at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here?"

Tower: "Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?"

***********************************************************

From an unknown aircraft waiting in a very long takeoff queue.....

Unknown Pilot: "I'm f...ing bored!"
Ground Traffic Control: "Last aircraft transmitting, identify yourself immediately!"
Unknown Pilot: "I said I was f...ing bored, not f...ing stupid!"

***********************************************************

O'Hare Approach Control to a 747: "United 329 heavy, your traffic is a Fokker, one o'clock, three miles, Eastbound."

United 329: "Approach, I've always wanted to say this..... i've got the little Fokker in sight."

***********************************************************

A DC-10 had come in a little hot and thus had an exceedingly long roll out after touching down.......

San Jose Tower Noted: "American 751, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway, if you are able. If you are not able, take the Guadeloupe exit off Highway 101, make a right at the lights and return to the airport."

************************************************************
Tower:< EM>"Eastern 702, cleared for takeoff,contact Departure on frequency 124.7"

Eastern 702: "Tower, Eastern 702 switching to Departure. By the way,after we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway."

Tower: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff behind Eastern 702, contact Departure on frequency 124.7. Did you copy that report from Eastern 702?"

BR Continental 635:< EM>"Continental 635, cleared for takeoff, roger; and yes, we copied Eastern... We've already notified our caterers."

**************************************************************

One day the pilot of a Cherokee 180 was told by the tower to hold short of the active runway while a DC-8 landed. The DC-8 landed, rolled out, turned around, and taxied back past the Cherokee. Some quick-witted comedian in the DC-8 crew got on the radio and said, "What a cute little plane. Did you make it all by yourself?"

The Cherokee pilot, not about to let the insult go by, came back with a real zinger: "I made it out of DC-8 parts. Another landing like yours and I'll have enough parts for another one."

***************************************************************

While taxiing at London's Gatwick Airport, the crew of a US Air flight departing for Ft. Lauderdale made a wrong turn and came nose to nose with a United 727. An irate female ground controller lashed out at the US Air crew.....

Controller (screaming): "US Air 2771, where the hell are you going? I told you to turn right onto Charlie taxiway! You turned right on Delta! Stop right there. I know it's difficult for you to tell the difference between C and D, but get it right!"

Continuing her rage to the embarrassed crew..............

Controller (shouting hysterically): "God! Now you've screwed everything up! It'll take forever to sort this out! You stay right there and don't move till I tell you to! You can expect progressive taxi instructions in about half an hour, and I want you to go exactly where I tell you, when I tell you, and how I tell you! You got that, US Air 2771?"

"Yes, ma'am!" the humbled crew responded.

Naturally, the ground control communications frequency fell terribly silent after the verbal bashing of US Air 2771. Nobody wanted to chance engaging the irate ground controller in herc urrent state of mind. Tension in every cockpit out around Gatwick was definitely running high. Just then an unknown pilot broke the silence and keyed his microphone, asking: "Wasn't I married to you once?"

P.S. Thanks to Frazer Hunt for this one with a cruising theme

A couple of weeks ago, after the Queen Mary 2 had finally cleared Sydney Harbour the night before, and was steaming towards Hong Kong, two female passengers of mature years found themselves sitting on the foredeck, sunning themselves as the endless parade of beautiful people promenaded past. Though strangers they got talking.

"Ahh", one sighs in a Scottish brogue. "This is the life. We've scrimped and saved for years to escape from drudgery and enjoy this luxury. It's our first ever cruise. What about you"?

"Is it our sixth? Or maybe our seventh? I'm not altogether sure", the stranger replies.

"Goodness gracious," responds the maiden voyager."How ever could you afford all those? You'd have to be millionaires!"

"Not at all" says the well travelled one. "It's just that my husband works for Cunard."

"Well!" says the first one,in a burst of high dudgeon. "My husband works fookin' hard too, but this is the first cruise we could afford. "

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